The Golden Finger told Dana that the portal was in the Ministry of Magic. Most likely, entering that archway would lead to Avalon. Others might not succeed, but with Merlin's bloodline, he probably could.
However, nothing is absolute. Dana hasn't avenged his great hatred yet. What if he couldn't return after entering? Wouldn't that be terrible?
So, his top priority now is revenge.
In the process, overthrowing the Ministry of Magic would naturally lead to controlling it. At that time, couldn't he enter the Department of Mysteries whenever he wanted?
Wait a little longer. If his bloodline could awaken to the third stage, the ability to foresee the future would give him more confidence.
Dana touched the pile of Gringotts magic crystals beside the bed and nodded to himself.
February 21, 1993 — 9 AM
Barty Crouch Sr. and the employees of the Department of International Magical Cooperation were waiting in the main hall on the eighth basement floor.
The layout of the Ministry of Magic was strange. Visitors would first descend to the eighth basement floor by elevator and then go up to reach the various departments.
Barty Crouch Sr.'s department was on the fifth basement floor, while the Minister's office was on the first.
The main hall also had paths leading downwards. The ninth basement floor was the Department of Mysteries, and the tenth was the courtroom, with the temporary prison located there.
Barty Crouch Sr. waited quietly, completely ignoring the whispers behind him. This would have been unimaginable before—ever since he was demoted, his spirit had waned.
"Who are we welcoming? Why such a big fuss?"
"You don't know?"
"Do I need to? Recently, all the foreign chambers of commerce moving into Merlin City have kept me buried in paperwork!"
"Heh heh, this is the biggest thing in the Ministry lately!"
"How so?"
"Wang Shujing, President of the Central Bank of Merlin City, is coming to finalize the Ministry of Magic Development Foundation promised by Count Dentis!"
"That's it? That's important! My salary hasn't gone up in years. If this foundation works, our hard times might finally be over!"
"Exactly!"
Barty finally spoke: "Quiet, everyone. They're here."
The indicator light on the elevator lit up. As the doors opened, a group of green-robed wizards stepped out.
Leading them was a Chinese woman, quite attractive in appearance.
"Could this president be Count Dentis's lover? She doesn't look like someone managing hundreds of millions of Galleons!"
"Shut it! Want to get fired?"
Barty Crouch Sr. approached.
"Hello, Ms. Wang. I'm Barty Crouch of the Department of International Magical Cooperation. Welcome to the Ministry of Magic."
"Hello, Director Crouch," Wang Shujing said without expression. "I'm here for the Foundation. Count Dentis instructed me to carry this out, and I expect full cooperation."
"Of course. This is a top priority for the Ministry. Please, come inside."
They went up to the fifth basement floor.
"This is your office, Ms. Wang. Please follow me."
The office was grand—thirty feet high, one to two thousand square meters, with shiny carved tiles, golden pillars, emerald green walls, and a Hogwarts-style ceiling of stars.
Wang Shujing's mouth twitched. These decorations were just illusions cast on ordinary materials. If the Ministry of Magic were truly wealthy, they wouldn't be groveling to her boss.
Just a year ago, she was stealing food from behind a Muggle restaurant and nearly sold herself to save her husband.
And now, a department director was leading the way for her.
"Ms. Wang, are you satisfied with the office? Let me know if anything needs changing!"
Although Crouch's tone was neutral, anyone who knew him could tell he was flattering her—he hadn't given up his dreams of becoming Minister.
If he couldn't rise internally, he'd need external support—and Count Dentis's Merlin City was perfect.
Wang Shujing looked around and nodded. "No need to change anything. I won't be working here full time."
She turned to her entourage.
"Mr. Sprinter, bring your team and set up the foundation framework. If you need to spend, report directly to the bank."
"Yes, President Wang," Sprinter said, then hesitated. "President, may we bring our own desks?"
He looked at the Ministry's workstations with disdain.
"These cheap desks and chairs hurt our productivity and mood."
Crouch's face darkened.
Wang Shujing nodded. "Fine. Buy a new set if you want. Don't save money for Count Dentis—his face is more important than money."
"Yes!"
Crouch forced a smile. "Ms. Wang, what's the foundation's next plan?"
Wang Shujing gave him a cold look. A year managing the Ashwinder Party's finances had given her real authority.
The Ashwinder Party had grown from nine to over 4,700 members—larger than the entire British wizarding population.
That look alone made Crouch feel like a junior employee reporting to a superior.
"Director Crouch doesn't need to know our internal plans. What you do need to know is: this foundation will increase your salaries and operating budgets.
We'll report Merlin City's and the foundation's accounts to the Minister once a year. You don't need access."
"…Understood," Crouch said.
"But since we'll be on the same floor, we'll be seeing each other often. May I have the honor of inviting you and your staff for a meal?"
Wang Shujing nodded, accepting the gesture.
But in her heart, she thought:
The same Ministry that once hunted me down now bows at my feet, all for one percent of the revenue.
Boss was right. Such a Ministry had no right to rule the wizarding world.
Foolish Ministry of Magic, do you really think Count Dentis gives you money out of kindness?
Heh.
You're just being fattened up for slaughter.
End of the Chapter.
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